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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
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A MOF production system and method of making are detailed for continuous and controlled synthesis of MOFs and MOF composites. The system can provide optimized yields of MOFs and MOF composites greater than or equal to 95%.
The primary objective of this project is to develop a process for production of high-performance, high-value carbon derived from wellhead natural gas. This will be done either by direct graphitization of pyrolysis carbon produced at the wellhead, or through precipitation of the carbon from a molten metal solution to form high-value graphite.
Shear-based deformation processing by hybrid cutting-extrusion and free machining are used to make continuous strip, of thickness up to one millimeter, from low-workability AA6013-T6 in a single deformation step. The intense shear can impose effective strains as large as 2 in the strip without pre-heating of the workpiece. The creation of strip in a single step is facilitated by three factors inherent to the cutting deformation zone: highly confined shear deformation, in situ plastic deformation-induced heating and high hydrostatic pressure. The hybrid cutting-extrusion, which employs a second die located across from the primary cutting tool to constrain the chip geometry, is found to produce strip with smooth surfaces (S a < 0.4 μm) that is similar to cold-rolled strip. The strips show an elongated grain microstructure that is inclined to the strip surfaces – a shear texture – that is quite different from rolled sheet. Furthermore, this shear texture (inclination) angle is determined by the deformation path. Through control of the deformation parameters such as strain and temperature, a range of microstructures and strengths could be achieved in the strip. When the cutting-based deformation was done at room temperature, without workpiece pre-heating, the starting T6 material was further strengthened by as much as 30% in a single step. In elevated-temperature cutting-extrusion, dynamic recrystallization was observed, resulting in a refined grain size in the strip. Implications for deformation processing of age-hardenable Al alloys into sheet form, and microstructure control therein, are discussed.
The trend in the modern global economy towards free market policies has motivated companies to use rapid prototyping technologies to not only reduce product development cycle time but also to maintain their competitive edge. A rapid prototyping technology is one which combines computer aided design with computer controlled tracking of focussed high energy source (eg. lasers, heat) on modern ceramic powders, metallic powders, plastics or photosensitive liquid resins in order to produce prototypes or models. At present, except for the process of shape melting, most rapid prototyping processes generate products that are only dimensionally similar to those of the desired end product. There is an urgent need, therefore, to enhance the understanding of the characteristics of these processes in order to realize their potential for production. Currently, the commercial market is dominated by four rapid prototyping processes, namely selective laser sintering, stereolithography, fused deposition modelling and laminated object manufacturing. This phase of the research has focussed on the selective laser sintering and stereolithography rapid prototyping processes. A theoretical model for these processes is under development. Different rapid prototyping sites supplied test specimens (based on ASTM 638-84, Type I) that have been measured and tested to provide a data base on surface finish, dimensional variation and ultimate tensile strength. Further plans call for developing and verifying the theoretical models by carefully designed experiments. This will be a joint effort between NASA and other prototyping centers to generate a larger database, thus encouraging more widespread usage by product designers.
Continuous process has economic and quality advantages over batch processes. Expected to produce high-quality microballoons at relatively low cost. Continuous hollow-jet process produces microballoons of refractory metal. Microballoon products made by continuous process includes inertial-confinement fusion targets, thermal insulators, lightweight composites, impact absorbers, and containers for hazardous materials.
Rotating Algae Biofilm Reactors (RABRs) are a promising technology for efficient treatment of wastewater and production of algae-based bioproducts. However, RABR-grown algae can contain a high content of ash (30–60 wt%, dry basis), which influences the technical and economic feasibility of bioproduct conversion processes. In this report, experimental studies and economic analysis were conducted to compare different processes for bioproduct conversion of a high-ash microalgae biofilm grown using a RABR treating 0.6 million gallons per day of anaerobic digestion centrate at the Central Valley Water Reclamation Facility in Salt Lake City, UT. Process and economic models were developed and compared for three conversion processes: 1) the production of bioplastics, 2) the production of bioplastics with a lipid-extraction pretreatment, and 3) the production of biocrude via hydrothermal liquefaction. Techno-economic analysis was performed for each conversion process, including three cases for algae productivity: 231, 391, and 577 metric tons per year (dry basis). The calculated value for the minimum plastic selling price (MPSP) of bioplastics produced from algae ranges from $\$4050$ to $\$3520$ per metric ton based on the baseline and final productivity cases of the RABR, respectively. The extraction of lipids in addition to bioplastic production results in an MPSP of $\$4570$ to $\$4000$ per metric ton for the same productivity cases. The relatively small production scale and complex processing for hydrothermal liquefaction results in a minimum fuel selling price of the biocrude of $\$5.32$ per gallon of gasoline equivalent. In conclusion, the conversion process for bioplastic production from whole algae has the highest income:expense ratio and the most cost-competitive pricing of the three modeled processes.
Single-crystal X-ray structures of four nickel dithiocarbamate complexes, the homoleptic mixed-organic bis-dithiocarbamates Ni[S2CN(isopropyl)(benzyl)]2, Ni[S2CN(ethyl)(n-butyl)]2, and Ni[S2CN(phenyl)(benzyl)]2, as well as the heteroleptic mixed-ligand complex NiCl[P(phenyl)3][(S2CN(phenyl)(benzyl)], were determined. Synthetic, spectroscopic, structural, thermal, and sulfide materials studies are discussed in light of prior literature. The spectroscopic results are routine. A slightly distorted square-planar nickel coordination environment was observed for all four complexes. The organic residues adopt conformations to minimize steric interactions. Steric effects also may determine puckering, if any, about the nickel and nitrogen atoms, both of which are planar or nearly so. A trans-influence affects the Ni-S bond distances. Nitrogen atoms interact with the CS2 carbons with a bond order of about 1.5, and the other substituents on nitrogen display transoid conformations. There are no strong intermolecular interactions, consistent with prior observations of the volatility of nickel dithiocarbamate complexes. Thermogravimetric analysis of the homoleptic species under inert atmosphere is consistent with production of 1:1 nickel sulfide phases. Thermolysis of nickel dithiocarbamates under flowing nitrogen produced hexagonal or -NiS as the major phase; thermolysis under flowing forming gas produced millerite (-NiS) at 300 C, godlevskite (Ni9S8) at 325 and 350 C, and heazlewoodite (Ni3S2) at 400 and 450 C. Failure to exclude oxygen results in production of nickel oxide. Nickel sulfide phases produced seem to be primarily influenced by processing conditions, in agreement with prior literature. Nickel dithiocarbamate complexes demonstrate significant promise to serve as single-source precursors to nickel sulfides, a quite interesting family of materials with numerous potential applications.
An experiment is planned, conducted and evaluated to determine the feasibility of using a Power Kinetics' Fresnel concentrator to provide process heat in an industrial environment. The plant provides process steam at 50 to 60 psig to two autoclaves for curing masonry blocks. When steam is not required, the plant preheats hot water for later use. A second system is installed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory parabolic dish test site for hardware validation and experiment control. Experiment design allows for the extrapolation of results to varying demands for steam and hot water, and includes a consideration of some socio-technical factors such as the impact on production scheduling of diurnal variations in energy availability.
Natural gas (Methane) is currently the primary source of catalytic hydrogen production, accounting for three quarters of the annual global dedicated hydrogen production (about 70 M tons). Steam–methane reforming (SMR) is the currently used industrial process for hydrogen production. However, the SMR process suffers with insufficient catalytic activity, low long-term stability, and excessive energy input, mostly due to the handling of large amount of CO 2 coproduced. With the demand for anticipated hydrogen production to reach 122.5 M tons in 2024, novel and upgraded catalytic processes are desired for more effective utilization of precious natural resources. In this review, we summarized the major descriptors of catalyst and reaction engineering of the SMR process and compared the SMR process with its derivative technologies, such as dry reforming with CO 2 (DRM), partial oxidation with O 2 , autothermal reforming with H 2 O and O 2 . Finally, we discussed the new progresses of methane conversion: direct decomposition to hydrogen and solid carbon and selective oxidation in mild conditions to hydrogen containing liquid organics (i.e., methanol, formic acid, and acetic acid), which serve as alternative hydrogen carriers. We hope this review will help to achieve a whole picture of catalytic hydrogen production from methane.
Dated at approximately 3.9 billion years of age, carbonate disks, found within fractures of the host rock of Martian meteorite ALH84001, have been interpreted as secondary minerals that formed at low temperature in an aqueous medium. Heterogeneously distributed within these disks are magnetite nanocrystals that are of Martian origin. Approximately one quarter of these magnetites have morphological and chemical similarities to magnetite particles produced by magnetotactic bacteria strain MV-1, which are ubiquitous in aquatic habitats on Earth. Moreover, these types of magnetite particles are not known or expected to be produced by abiotic means either through geological processes or synthetically in the laboratory. The remaining three quarters of the ALH84001 magnetites are likely products of multiple processes including, but not limited to, precipitation from a hydrothermal fluid, thermal decomposition of the carbonate matrix in which they are embedded, and extracellular formation by dissimilatory Fe-reducing bacteria. We have proposed that the origins of magnetites in ALH84001 can be best explained as the products of multiple processes, one of which is biological. Recently the three-dimensional (3-D) external morphology of the purported biogenic fraction of the ALH84001 magnetites has been the subject of considerable debate. We report here the 3-D geometry of biogenic magnetite crystals extracted from MV-1 and of those extracted from ALH84001 carbonate disks using a combination of high resolution classical and tomographic transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We focus on answering the following questions: (1) which technique provides adequate information to deduce the 3-D external crystal morphology?; and, (2) what is the precise 3-D geometry of the ALH84001 and MV-1 magnetites?
Altered prohormone processing, such as with proinsulin and pro-islet amyloid polypeptide (proIAPP), has been reported as an important feature of prediabetes and diabetes. Proinsulin processing includes removal of several C-terminal basic amino acids and is performed principally by the exopeptidase carboxypeptidase E (CPE), and mutations in CPE or other prohormone convertase enzymes (PC1/3 and PC2) result in hyperproinsulinemia. A comprehensive characterization of the forms and quantities of improperly processed insulin and other hormone products following Cpe deletion in pancreatic islets has yet to be attempted. In the present study we applied top-down proteomics to globally evaluate the numerous proteoforms of hormone processing intermediates in a β-cell-specific Cpe knockout mouse model. Increases in dibasic residue–containing proinsulin and other novel proteoforms of improperly processed proinsulin were found, and we could classify several processed proteoforms as novel substrates of CPE. Interestingly, some other known substrates of CPE remained unaffected despite its deletion, implying that paralogous processing enzymes such as carboxypeptidase D (CPD) can compensate for CPE loss and maintain near normal levels of hormone processing. In summary, our quantitative results from top-down proteomics of islets provide unique insights into the complexity of hormone processing products and the regulatory mechanisms.
A random process is formed by the product of a local Gaussian process and a random amplitude process, and the sum of that product with an independent mean value process. The mathematical properties of the resulting process are developed, including the first and second order properties and the characteristic function of general order. An approximate method for the analysis of the response of linear dynamic systems to the process is developed. The transition properties of the process are also examined.
Hydrogen (H2) has been identified as a leading sustainable contender to replace fossil fuels in transportation and electricity generation. H2 production can be achieved by concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) systems collecting thermal energy from the sun to various chemical processes for fuel production. Fuel production via solar thermal chemical processes integrated with CSP uses the full spectrum of sunlight compared with photovoltaic power conversion and stores solar energy directly and efficiently [1]. The solar fuel production can be realized by thermochemical processes (e.g., water splitting for H2 production, carbon dioxide reduction, or methane reforming) or thermal electrochemical methods (e.g., integration with solid oxide electrolysis cell). Technology development for CSP-integrated solar fuel production requires broad technological bases from solar energy collection to chemical energy conversion. H2 generated from renewable sources can be an energy carrier for a carbon-free economy. Integrating CSP with high temperature electrolysis (HTE) using solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC) provides a renewable path for H2 generation. The CSP-HTE integration approach provides the benefit of thermal energy storage (TES) for continuous operation, improved capacity, and SOEC life. H2 gas has low energy density for transportation, pipeline networks are expensive, and H2 liquefaction is energy intensive. However, an alternative method for H2 distribution is to use carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and liquid hydrocarbon synthesis to convert solar energy into liquid fuels that are compatible with the existing fossil fuel infrastructure.
In the late 80's, conceptual designs for an in situ oxygen production plant were documented in a study by Eagle Engineering [1]. In the "Summary of Findings" of this study, it is clearly pointed out that: "reported process mass and power estimates lack a consistent basis to allow comparison." The study goes on to say: "A study to produce a set of process mass, power, and volume requirements on a consistent basis is recommended." Today, approximately twenty years later, as humans plan to return to the moon and venture beyond, the need for flexible up-to-date models of the oxygen extraction production process has become even more clear. Multiple processes for the production of oxygen from lunar regolith are being investigated by NASA, academia, and industry. Three processes that have shown technical merit are molten regolith electrolysis, hydrogen reduction, and carbothermal reduction. These processes have been selected by NASA as the basis for the development of the ISRU System Model Tool (ISMT). In working to develop up-to-date system models for these processes NASA hopes to accomplish the following: (1) help in the evaluation process to select the most cost-effective and efficient process for further prototype development, (2) identify key parameters, (3) optimize the excavation and oxygen production processes, and (4) provide estimates on energy and power requirements, mass and volume of the system, oxygen production rate, mass of regolith required, mass of consumables, and other important parameters. Also, as confidence and high fidelity is achieved with each component's model, new techniques and processes can be introduced and analyzed at a fraction of the cost of traditional hardware development and test approaches. A first generation ISRU System Model Tool has been used to provide inputs to the Lunar Architecture Team studies.
The goals and operations of the Software Engineering Laboratory (SEL) is reviewed. For nearly 20 years the SEL has worked to understand, assess, and improve software and the development process within the production environment of the Flight Dynamics Division (FDD) of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The SEL was established in 1976 with the goals of reducing: (1) the defect rate of delivered software, (2) the cost of software to support flight projects, and (3) the average time to produce mission-support software. After studying over 125 projects of FDD, the results have guided the standards, management practices, technologies, and the training within the division. The results of the studies have been a 75 percent reduction in defects, a 50 percent reduction in cost, and a 25 percent reduction in development time. Over time the goals of SEL have been clarified. The goals are now stated as: (1) Understand baseline processes and product characteristics, (2) Assess improvements that have been incorporated into the development projects, (3) Package and infuse improvements into the standard SEL process. The SEL improvement goal is to demonstrate continual improvement of the software process by carrying out analysis, measurement and feedback to projects with in the FDD environment. The SEL supports the understanding of the process by study of several processes including, the effort distribution, and error detection rates. The SEL assesses and refines the processes. Once the assessment and refinement of a process is completed, the SEL packages the process by capturing the process in standards, tools and training.
Computer process control applications with emphasis on oil and chemical industries
Production of hydroxyl containing curable liquid hydrocarbon prepolymers by ozonizing a high molecular weight saturated hydrocarbon polymer such as polyisobutylene or ethylene propylene rubber is discussed. The ozonized material is reduced using reducing agents, preferably diisobutyl aluminum hydride, to form the hydroxyl containing liquid prepolymers having a substantially lower molecular weight than the parent polymer. The resulting curable liquid hydroxyl containing prepolymers can be poured into a mold and readily cured, with reactants such as toluene diisocyanate, to produce highly stable elastomers having a variety of uses such as binders for solid propellants.
A process sequence for a large area ( or = 25 sq. cm) silicon solar cell was investigated. Generic cell choice was guided by the expected electron fluence, by the packing factors of various cell envelope designs onto each panel to provide needed voltage as well as current, by the weight constraints on the system, and by the cost goals of the contract.